Oak Ridge, Pondo sends 23 to Divisionals

KEATON SUBJECK works an arm bar on Bruin wrestler Chip Hendricks during a January dual meet. The two met again at the DRL Championships, with Subjeck again finishing the victor. Mother Lode News photo by Pat Dollins

KEATON SUBJECK works an arm bar on Bruin wrestler Chip Hendricks during a January dual meet. The two met again at the DRL Championships, with Subjeck again finishing the victor. Mother Lode News photo by Pat Dollins

By Scott WardenMother Lode News correspondent

ELK GROVE — The Ponderosa and Oak Ridge wrestling teams started the postseason and the road to the state meet Saturday at Pleasant Grove in the Delta River League championships.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class advance to this weekend’s Divsional meet at Franklin High. Ponderosa’s entire team of 14 will move on while Oak Ridge sends nine.

“We’re excited that the team had an outstanding day and we were able to capture the team championship,” Bruin coach Tyson Escobar said. “Everyone is healthy and that’s also a great plus at this time of the year.”

Ponderosa had 11 wrestlers in the finals and five emerged with titles to easily win the team title. Oak Ridge had five finalists and two champions.

The county teams clashed four times in the finals. The first match-up in the 125-pound bout had Ponderosa’s Tim Ditrich braced for a challenge from Trojan Cameron Miller. But it was all Ditrich as the senior got an early takedown and then a reversal in the second period to control the match on the way to a 10-0 victory.

“I got another league title and I am really happy about that,” Ditrich said. “I feel fantastic and I am wrestling great. I got my braces off and it sure makes it much easier to breath. Now I need to stay focused on wrestling hard and going to the state meet.”

“Things are going well right now,” Subjeck said. “I’m in great shape and really working hard at chain wrestling and putting my moves together. I’m peaking at the best time and looking forward to doing well at the state meet.”

Oak Ridge’s Vince Waldhauser (160) pinned Bruin Devon Nooner in the first round but not before Nooner surprised everyone by taking Waldhauser down and earning a two-point near fall.

In the last intra-county match Ponderosa’s Allen Emmons (171) took on Trojan Zach Claiborne. After Emmons earned the first takedown, Claiborne tied with a reversal before Emmons used an arm bar to turn Claiborne for a second-period pin.

“I’ve been working hard. This was one of my goals and I reached it,” Emmons said. “Now I’m looking forward to Divisionals and achieving the next goal.”

Ponderosa’s first champion at 103s was Daniel Gorans, who posted a 12-2 victory. The Bruins had a tougher time at 112s and 119s as Erik and Alex Greybill both were defeated, but junior Sean Melton (130) wouldn’t settle for second, winning one of Saturday’s most thrilling matches in overtime 8-6.

Walker Ditrich (135) used a takedown and a tilt for a three-point near fall to earn a 5-4 victory but the Bruins’ day ended with two tough defeats. Jeff Camilli (215) needed a late takedown to win but couldn’t get it and dropped a 5-3 decision. Riley Nooner (HWT) suffered a similar fate, giving up an escape to lose 1-0.

Trojan Alex Diaz (152) trailed by two in the third period before he was reversed while trying for a near fall and settled for second with a 7-3 defeat.